Two fatalities on Milam roads

Suicide ruling expected in Milano-area incident; rollover claims

There were two deaths on Milam County roadways in the first week of the new year.

Bushra Al-Muaala, 19, of Missouri City, died Thursday as the results of an incident south of Milano originally listed as a hit-and-run, but now a suicide ruling is anticipated, according to investigators.

Two days later, 55-year- old Buckholts resident Deborah Hamilton died when her SUV rolled over on a county road near that town.

INVESTIGATION— Chief Deput y Chr is Whi te said Al-Muaala died Thursday night at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bryan, as the result of injuries sustained just before noon that day on Texas 36, a few miles south of Milano.

Sheriff David Greene said the incident was at first thought to be a hit-and-run but investigators have concluded the woman jumped from a vehicle operated by her fiance.

Sgt. David Yarbrough and Cpl. Erik Gaston of the DPS, the sheriff’s department, an AMR ambulance crew and the Milano Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

He said it was at first believed a vehicle struck the woman and then left the scene.

Al-Muaala was first taken to Richards Memorial Hospital in Rockdale, then flown to St. Joseph’s and placed on life support.

“ Sherif f David Green was informed the decision had been made to remove Ms. Al-Muaala from life support and she was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. Thursday,” White said.

He said her body was taken to the Travis County Medical Examiner in Austin for an autopsy and an investigation was begun into the incident.

“Investigators have determined the incident was not a hit-and-run as originally reported,” White said.

“It became pretty obvious that was not what happened,” Yarbrough said. The investigation continued with Texas Rangers also assisting.

White told The Reporter that all possibilities were being considered but investigators said it did not appear to be a homicide.

“ This is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public,” he said.

White said autopsy results are expected to be received between six and 17 weeks. “We’re hoping it’s a lot closer to six,” he said.

ROLLOVER—State Troopers, the sheriff ’s department and Buckholts police and firefighters responded to a fatal crash at 10:35 a.m. Saturday on County Road 109, nine-tenths of a mile south of Buckholts.

Trooper Jason Adams said the 2001 Ford Explorer, operated by Hamilton, was northbound on County Road 109 when it overturned and landed in a ditch.

Adams said Hamilton was not wearing a seat belt.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Rick Gommert.